Latest Spring Football News

In the first of a series of 2016 Big Ten spring football Q&A sessions, BTN.com senior writer Tom Dienhart chats with Tom Allen, Indiana new defensive coordinator. They cover the 4-2-5 scheme, the challenges of the job in Bloomington, and who shaped Allen's coaching career.

Tracy Claeys has put the wraps on his first spring practice as Minnesota coach. He’s looking to amp up a program that took a step back last year by going 6-7, the Gophers’ first losing mark since 2012. [ MORE: Watch a replay of the Minnesota spring game on BTN2Go ] It was a difficult season filled with challenges, as Jerry Kill stepped down after seven games to tend to health issues and Claeys eventually was made full-time coach after running things on an interim basis. He wasted little time putting his stamp on things by shaking up the staff,

The Minnesota football team held its first spring game under Tracy Claeys on Saturday afternoon at TCF Bank Stadium. [ MORE: Watch a replay of the Minnesota spring game on BTN2Go ] Leading up to it all, BTN cameras followed Claeys, the longtime Jerry Kill assistant, around for an all-access look at a day with the Gophers. Claeys became the interim coach following Kill’s retirement midway through last season, and he earned the full-time position in November. Watch our feature on Claeys in the video above. And, check out some of the top Minnesota spring game highlights below.

Due to the weather, Northwestern went with a controlled practice indoors instead of a spring game Saturday morning. No matter, BTN was there to capture some of the highlights, and to talk to a couple of the key participants.

The Minnesota football team held its annual spring game Saturday afternoon at TCF Bank Stadium. The first spring game under Tracy Claeys featured two 40-minutes halves of game action, most of which was controlled by the defense.

In Thursday's Big Ten headlines, we catch you up on a number of spring football stories, including nes out of Nebraska's defensive backfield, upgrades on Michigan's offensive line, and why one team's coaching staff keeps injuries under wraps.

On Monday, I predicted who would be the starting quarterback for each Big Ten East team. So, in an attempt to be fair, it’s time to share my Big Ten West predictions–even if most of the starting situations are settled. Here goes. ILLINOIS Wes Lunt. Tumult has been the order of the day in Champaign, where there have been three head coaches since August. But the arrival of Lovie Smith brings the prospect of better days. Smith had to be pleased to find Wes Lunt, a veteran hand who looks like an NFL quarterback. But Lunt needs to improve as

Things have to improve at Purdue. Darrell Hazell knows this, which is why his staff has been radically altered. In all, there are five new assistants—and a holdover in a new role. Perhaps no new assistant is more vital than defensive coordinator Ross Els. He was coaching high school ball in Nebraska last year—now, he has one of the biggest rehab projects in the Big Ten. The defense Els inherits in West Lafayette is a mess. Where to begin? How about learning how to stop the run? Last year, the Boilermaker defense was shredded for a league-high 214.9 rushing yards

The calendar reads early April. And spring football is in full gear (Michigan actually is finished) with the start of the 2016 season months away. [ MORE: Get all of our spring football coverage ] But let’s look into the crystal ball and try to predict who will start at quarterback for each Big Ten East team in the opener. I will look at the Big Ten West tomorrow. INDIANA Richard Lagow. Nate Sudfeld leaves as the school’s all-time leading passer, but Lagow could be the elixir to IU’s quarterback ailment in what is shaping up as a battle with